May 21, 2012
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT)--The City of Knoxville and the Optimist Club of West Knoxville and the Knoxville Volunteer Rescue Squad wants to help you get rid of your old electronics.
They are hosting "Plug Into Your Community" eCycling events in Knoxville and Knox County this month. The final one is this Saturday, Feb. 11 from 9-3 at Chilhowee Park.
Both are drive-through, drop-off, and leave events, meaning residents won't even have to get out of their vehicles to recycle old computers, laptops and some other electronic items.
Acceptable items include computer equipment like PC systems, CPUs, monitors, mice, keyboards, printers, scanners, laptops, modems, hard drives, speakers, power cords, cables, phones, power strips, desktop copiers, fax machines, and cell phones.
These items may contain significant amounts of hazardous metals.
Some switches and relays, for instance, may contain mercury and printed circuit boards and monitors may contain metals like lead, chromium, cadmium and mercury.
Additional items acceptable at the event this year are small household appliances such as radios, microwaves, stereos, vacuum cleaners, toner/ink cartridges, docking stations, CD-roms, TVs, fax machines, and other office electronics, rechargeable batteries, telephones and tape players.
Unacceptable items include electronic equipment containing hazardous chemicals, small refrigerators, stoves, appliances, scrap metal, aluminum cans, cardboard and paper.
Also not allowed: Devices containing or emitting radioactivity, car batteries, mercury-containing devices, smoke alarms, light bulbs (fluorescent or incandescent), thermostats, thermometers, air-conditioners, fire extinguishers, gas-powered engines, and bio-waste.
Last year in this event, over 1,500 City and County residents recycled 77 tons of computers and peripherals.
Besides the events, residents may still recycle their old computers for free at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center at 1033 Elm St. during regular business hours.
